Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9268)
Republic Act No. 9268 is officially titled "The Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act of 2004."
The State aims to upgrade the practice of veterinary medicine to protect the animal population through safe and proper diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of animals, promoting veterinarians who are globally competitive and whose competence has been validated by credible licensure examinations.
The Board is composed of a chairman and two (2) members appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three recommendees submitted by the Professional Regulation Commission from a list of five nominees submitted by the accredited professional organization of veterinarians.
Members must be Filipino citizens and residents for at least five years, of good health, sound mind, good moral character, holders of a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, members in good standing of the accredited veterinary organization, have practiced veterinary medicine for ten years, and must not be faculty members or officers of any veterinary school or organization at nomination time.
The examination covers Veterinary Parasitology; Veterinary Pharmacology; Veterinary Medicine (including Ethics, Surgery, Animal Welfare, and Jurisprudence); Zootechnics (including Animal Behavior and Environmental Health); Veterinary Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health; Veterinary Physiology; Veterinary Anatomy; and Veterinary Pathology.
A candidate must obtain a weighted average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) with no rating below sixty percent (60%) in any subject. Candidates scoring below 60% in any subject but above or equal to 75% average may retake only those subjects in the next examination.
Practicing veterinary medicine without valid registration is punishable by a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), imprisonment from one (1) to five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The Board may reprimand, suspend from practice, revoke Certificates of Registration, or cancel special permits based on grounds such as moral turpitude conviction, unprofessional conduct, malpractice, fraud, substance abuse, illegal practice connections, or violation of the Code of Ethics and regulations.
The veterinarian respondent must be given written charges, a chance to answer, be entitled to counsel, have a speedy and public hearing, and be able to confront and cross-examine witnesses. The administrative investigation is conducted by the Board or its authorized members.
The Act took effect thirty (30) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.